LANSING, MI — Vivian Bodiford was almost moved to tears as she pondered what she wished could be different. She said, "I believe my son would have had a much better life with a father who was a positive male role model in his life."
Born on July 28, 1982, James "Jay" Edward Jones III was Vivian Bodiford’s only son and her baby. He was a healthy, happy, big baby. She was delighted to have him in her life, as were his three older sisters.
As the year anniversary of his death approaches, Bodiford speaks about her son with a smile and determination. Her determination is because she wants people to know that Jay was a sweet person who loved people and took care of a lot of people.
"There were so many people packed into the church at his funeral. I figure there were at least 1,500 in attendance. I had no idea how many lives he touched," she said.
Jay was murdered with his childhood sweetheart, Miranda "Goo" Garza. They were both 25 years old when they became victims of a heinous crime.
Life was kind of normal for Jay. He went to school just a few blocks from his childhood home at Wainwright Elementary. He developed his love for basketball in grade school with the support of his mother and his oldest sister, Tammy. Jay also became avid in track and shot put under the direction of Robert Hollingsworth. Jay then attended Dwight Rich Middle School where he became involved with the swim team. Every sport he was involved in showed his God given athletic talent according to his mother. He attended Everett High School and completed his GED.
"Jay was very good with his hands and worked as a construction worker, as well as a roofer, and as a sales representative. He would help pretty much anyone that needed help," said Bodiford.
At the time of his death, he wa working at Demmer Corporation, where after only a few short months he moved from the position of a line worker to a shift crew leader.
"I had just returned home from a business dinner with my husband (Jimmiel Bodiford) when I received the frantic phone call that told me to go to Sparrow. I knew something was wrong and I began quoting Bible scripture. I went to the house and it was not what I expected. If I was not a Christian, I don’t think that I would have been able to handle it as well as I did," said Bodiford.
She held a napkin in her hand and brought it to her eyes frequently as she recalled the fateful night that her only son was murdered.
During his short time on earth, he adored Garza and they were engaged to be married his mother said.
"They were inseparable and they loved each other," said Bodiford.
Jones and Garza dated for most of their middle school and high school years.
They are buried side by side at the cemetery. Their headstones adorned with mementos of those who have visited.
Jay has a son, Amias James, who is now 3 years old that will have to grow up without a father.
"I see his son a lot and he receives a lot of loving attention from the family. It gives me great solace, however; there is nothing can take the place of my James. I have to keep asking God to help me through this. We take Amias to the cemetery. My mother told him that he is with Jesus. That was the only explanation we had for him that he understands."
On Mother’s Day, Bodiford said her grandson broke his mother’s heart when he asked her if he could go lay with his dad.
"He still misses his father and asks when James will be coming to pick him up. He also is so proud of the tee shirt he has with a picture of his father and him on it," said Bodiford.
On Valentine’s Day in 2007, Jay left a message on his mother’s voicemail that she still plays several times a week.
"What’s up Ma? This is Jay. Man, I was calling to tell you Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you," said the voice of a young man disappointed that he missed his mother.
She has saved the message for two years. She says that it provides her with solace. I did not have a clue he was going to be taken from me. Some how God knew that I should keep the message. I listen to it every week.
She said that she is not going to blame God for the death of her son. She takes solace in knowing that she prays everyday and recently wrote about Jay’s death in her church program as the 1 year anniversary approached.
It reads: "In the book of Romans, it tells us that " all things work together for our good." It did not say that everything that happens to us will be good, but it is working for good. In life we experience a number of adversities and at times it makes you wonder, Lord, what is going on. It doesn’t feel good, it doesn’t look good, and you can’t even see what good is going to come out of the situation. That’s when you need to see through the eyes of faith. You may be disappointed, crying, financially broke, sick, in pain, having family problems or suffering the loss of a loved one, not knowing what to do, nor where to turn. When you come to a point like this in you life it is the perfect time to encourage yourself in the Lord with Romans 8:28, and say, "Lord, your Word says so. Therefore, I will trust you and thank you for what you are doing. I know this situation is working together for is working together for some kind of good."
Bodiford plans on working with other families regarding issues of violence and hopes to speak on September 12, 2009 at the State of Our Health: Through the Voices of Our People symposium at Bethlehem Temple (The Bread House) located at 1518 S. Washington Avenue, Lansing.
Note: There were 11 murders in Lansing in 2008. The murder investigation of James "Jay" Edward Jones III and Miranda "Goo" Garza is still open.
